Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-02-03

their heads, and the re ia
they catered . narrow s. !
shout. a whril, Captain a IN
borne from his horse ID II 4
tered and he himself b1i1 Esh
his hands tied behind hf1 6ad
taken the precautions % d1 kip
securely through his a !
placed the papers id = Il
so far safe. He was hnE I'M
along on foot. slsrroun< z1.
bers, over uneven groa6 6nse
distance. until at len Il
came to pause. Alter fc<t
conversation. he ~ Nj no
msnt standins lg -: sIk
sweeping Of garments. : uaft q deli
cate perfume, and q low soft voice
murmuring in his ear. show,d the
presence of woman; while . little
hard whose touch was like velvet
slipped heavy ring on his finger.
bidding him show it when examined
and fear nothing-it would save him
but on no pretext or threat to part
with it. Then he was again hurried
on by his csptors. and after a few mo.
ments his bandage removed. The dim
twilight of early morning rendered
everything still obscure and shadowy,
but he could yet distinguished they
were approaching a pile If colossal
ruins. High walls of stone mstilated
by time, and vast porticos covered by
parasitical vegetation, were edimly dis
cernib!e in the faint light. Through
an opening ray of light FELL on two
gigantic statues, placed al the foot of
an immense stairway. whose disjointed
stones were almost entirely concealed
beneath the rank grass and moss.
Captain Champion found himself
conducted down the fight of steps
thus revealed, along damp passage
and into large subterranean room,
filled by warlike groap of natives,
who We're apparently waiting for some
one of Importance. Some time elaps.
ed before a man Of dignifed. naughty
mein entered the place. Evidently a
native, but of high authority, he was
greeted with the deepest Oriental rev.
erence, and, through his interpreter,
addressing Captain Champion, he in
formed him his mission was known to
be ruinous to the interests Of the ma
tive princes, of which he was one.
He must at once surrender his papers
and credentials when his life would
be spared, and be guarded honorably
as q prisoner of war. The officer
made no reply while the raiah waited
in silence as his hands we're unbound; ;
then Captain Crampto6- raised them
to see the ring which had been SO
myste:iously given to him. purposely
1t as he did so. A start OF
astonishment surprised the prince in
to an exclamation, and he murmured
something in Hindoostanee to favor
ite attendant. The ring itself was re-
mavkable enough to have been noted
On stone of pale translucent hue
was the exact representation of cats
eye, the green luminous rays glitter
ing with light; this was surrounded
with the most brilliant diamonds, aud
the whole mounted in massive gold
setting of rough workmanship. Cp.
tain Champion merely glanced at il,
and then taking from his pocket
package OF papers handed them to
the rajah. They were carefully ex-
amined, and then the interpreter,
after due instructions, demanded the
most important, witch had been with
held. They must be produced, or
and ne glanced at the ring on the Of
ticer's hand doubtfIlly, and then at
the rajah, who rising, beokoned to
Two Of the other princes present. aud
retreated 10 a distant part of the
apartment. where the matter was
discussed. Finally, the interpreter
again addressed Captain Champion,
warning him that he could gain moth
ing by keeping the papers. and if sur
rendered at oncs his captivity would
be rendered as pleasant as possible /;
il not. his person would be searched
AS he deignsd no reply. saa-Sh
was made, but without success, aud
with an air of great perplexity the
rajah gave orders for the prisoner to
be placed in oioas eanisnsReat in a
small cell like apartment.
Refreshments were here set before
him and mats placed for his repose,
bus. Eeagied end disheartened, he
oazed round his narrow prison. seeing
no possibility Of escape. and seeking
vaiuly a solution for his dangerous
position.